Construction op sheet-metal coffins



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC O. SHULER, OF AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK..

CONSTRUCTION OF SHEET-METAL COFFINS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 24,635, dated July 5, 1859.

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, ISAAC C. SHULER, of Amsterdam, in the county of lvlontgomery and State of New York, have invented sundry Improvements in the Manufacture of Sheet-Metal Coiiins; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which makes a part of this specification and which represents a vertical longitudinal section of a sheet-metal coffin embracing my improvements.

I construct abox of sheet-metal of suitable shape for a coflin. The sides (a) and the bottom (Z2) have their edges scrolled previous to their being locked together, thus forming what I shall call a. double locked joint (i). The sides are pressed with bead work (e) in panels, which beads are filled with fusible metal on the inside, for the double purpose of stiifening the sides, and of furnishing a convenient means by peening, of taking out any accidental warpage in the sheet metal. Around the corners of the bottom of the box on the outside I place an angular sheet-metal rim (c) forming a chamber all around the bottom, which may be filled with fusible metal., or left empty, according to the size of the coffin. On the inside, and directly7 opposite the rim (c) is another angular rim (d) whose edges are bent against and soldered to the sides, in small coffins, but stand away from the sides in large ones, leaving achannel or chamber which may be filled with fusible metal.

On the top of the walls of the box I set a cast iron rim (f) extending outward and inward from the line of the sides, in which frame is a deep groove (Z) which receives guides, and straightens the sheet metal of the sides. Between this frame and the inside rim (el) pillars (fr) are set up which stiffen the sides, having an extended purchase against the protrusion of the rims, (f) and (d). In the top of the frame (f) is a groove all around.

To this coffin I have two covers (it) and The under cover (fr) has a cast metal frame with a tongue on its underside, which frame stiffens the cover, while the tongue fits the groove in the upper surface of the frame (f), forming, when soldered, after the corpse is placed in the coffin, an air-tight joint. This cover has a face-window, which is surrounded by an entire cast'metal sash, (m)

which is fixed with screws or solder, or both. Outside of and above this cover is the cover (j) whose edges curve over the frame (f). This cover has a window and blind (n), corresponding to the window in the under cover (it), and serves the purpose of ornamentally covering the fresh solder of the airtight joint before mentioned. The blind (n) is stiffened by means of an entire cast-metal frame (o), whereby it is hinged to the lid (j). From corner to corner diagonally across the bottom (o) are fixed braces (7c) which serve to stiffen both the bottom and the sides. Thus formed, the coffin may be grained or painted to taste, and trimmed within, by means of soldered strips of per'- forated tin.

Having thus described my improvements, what I claim is:

l. The arrangement of st-ifening the lower part of a sheet metal cofin, by locking together the scrolled edges of the sides and bottom, forming a firm rim when they are soldered together, substantially as described.

2. I am aware that I have before claimed stiffening the base of a sheet-metal coffin by filling with molten metal the surplus diam eter of a tray in which the sides were set. I claim the slieet-1netal rim (c) on the outside of the walls, as a means of stiffening the base, either with or without a filling of molten metal, according to the size of the coflin.

3. I am aware that I have claimed stiffening the base of a sheetemetal coflin by means of a tray with scrolled edges fixed to the inside base. I claim the rim (d) of sheet metal, single or scrolled, forming an inside chamber, which may be filled with molten metal, or left hollow according to the size of the cofHn.

at. I am aware that I have claimed an entire cast metal frame resting on the iianged upper edge of the walls of a sheet metal coffin. I claim a cast metal rim (f) with a deep groove on the under side which receives, straightens, and stiifens the walls, and which serves to support the lids.

5. I am aware that I have claimed a certain arrangement of ribs. That I now claim is a different arrangement-namely setting the pillars or braces (as) at the corners and around the body of the coiiin between the inward projections of the rims (d) and (f) which give them an extended purchase, for the purpose of stiflening the walls, substantially as described. I also claim the peculiar braces to prevent the lateral racking of the bottom. l

6. I claim the arrangement of pressing inverted beads or recesses, in any required number, in the sheet metal of the lid, Walls, and bottom of a metal coffin on the inside and on the outside of the same, which may be filled With molten metal in the large size,

and left empty in the small size coins, for

air-tight lid of a sheet metal coiin, a cast metal sash or rim (M,) which receives and supports the face glass When it is cemented in its proper place.

9. I claim the arrangement of fastening permanently, on the under side near the outer edge of the sheet metal blind which covers the glass in the taceV Window of a sheet metal coffin, acast metal rim (0,) or its equivalent, for the purpose of strengthening and furnishing a means of securing the same to the outer lid Which coversthe air-tight joints, substantially as described.

10. I amavvare of having claimed various modes of covering the air-tight joint ofthe lid of a sheet metal coiin, both bisected and entire. I noW'claim the arrangement described, of tWo entire, distinct, sepas Y rate sheet metal lids.

ISAAC C. SHULER. Witnesses B. T. BLOOD, ISAAC SOULE. 

